Do you ever feel:
-- smaller than you thought you were?
-- Not as capable as you thought you were?
-- Not as prepared as you thought you were?
-- Not as much as control as you thought you were?
The world is overwhelmed right now. Covid-19 is the great equalizer. You can't be rich enough or powerful enough or famous enough to be immune to the virus.
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17
The world is falling apart. All things are held together in Jesus Christ!
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[a] of the Lord,
or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?" Isaiah 40:12-13
Nobody can answer these questions but God. Nothing is too much for God to have victory over. Nothing.
Relying on money or power or fame or influence -- relying on anything or anyone will not keep you secure. Lasting, forever security is found only in God.
"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
Be calm. Be the calm one in the midt of the chaos. People will wonderul how you can be so calm? What a great opportunity to share the message of Christ Jesus.
"See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:10-11
Even in the valley of the shadow of death Jesus is right beside us. In our frailty we ca lean on Him and have great strength -- all the strength we need. Before we surender we need to know we need to surrender. God loves to use the weak to humble the strong of the world
The world pulls us apart. Jesus binds us together.
"Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall." Luke 11:17
Labels divide. We are so divided in this country. We need to get united again. Jesus can do this.
"How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
We can be the light to the community and to the world when we are united.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
God is our strength.
What's the moral of the jar?
The water will evaporate. The chicken feed will disintegrate. But nothing will move the rocks at the bottom. If we start with God at the very beginning the stuff the world throws at us won't be able to move us or change who we are.